The Spanish territory of Melilla has just confirmed its third case of canine rabies in the space of a week.
The newly detected case, on April 16, adds to two previously confirmed cases on April 3 and April 8.
They have all been linked to infected dogs from Morocco crossing the Beni-Enzar border.
According to Europa Sur, the spike in cases has placed the city’s health authorities on alert.
They have now issued a public appeal, warning anyone who may have come into contact with an infected dog to immediately notify the health authority or local police.
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They must also notify the authorities if they think their pets have been exposed to the disease.
In the appeal, it reminded citizens that rabies is fatal once the first symptoms appear, both in humans and susceptible animals.
It means it is crucial to begin preventative treatment as soon as possible after exposure.
Annual rabies vaccinations are mandatory and free in Melilla for dogs, cats, and ferrets over three months old.
Mainland Spain eradicated land rabies in 1978 thanks to extensive vaccine programmes.
However, the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla, on the tip of North Africa, continue to report sporadic cases imported from Morocco.
The neighbouring African nation continues to be plagued by the disease, reporting around 500 cases of animal rabies each year.
The real number could be much higher due to a lack of reliable statistics, reports Europa Sur, especially among stray dogs.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, primarily the brain. It’s caused by the rabies virus, which is usually transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal—most commonly from dogs, bats, raccoons, foxes, or other mammals
What to do if exposed to rabies
Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal.
It can be prevented with a vaccine, especially if given shortly after exposure.
The virus is usually spread through bites, but it can also be transmitted if infected saliva comes in contact with open wounds or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose).
The time between exposure and symptoms can range from weeks to months, depending on where the bite is and how much virus was introduced.
Early signs can resemble the flu – fever, headache, weakness – followed by anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and paralysis.
If you’re bitten, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention right away.
You may need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) – a series of rabies vaccines to prevent the virus from taking hold.
